Tillage and fertilizer knife attachment method

Abstract

A tillage implement includes at least one row unit having at least one shank assembly. The shank assembly includes a shank engaged at one end to the at least one row unit and at an opposing end to a tool. Planar members are positioned on a portion of each lateral side of the shank and the tool. The shank includes at least two mounting features and the tool includes one mounting feature. Each planar member has at least two matching mounting features for the shank and at least one matching mounting feature for the tool. A first connecting member engages at least one of the at least two matching mounting features, and a second connecting member also engages one of the at least two matching mounting features. One additional connecting member engages one mounting feature of the tool and one matching mounting feature of each planar member.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A tillage implement, comprising:
 at least one row unit; 
 at least one shank assembly including a shank engaged at one end thereof with the at least one row unit, an opposing end of the shank extending a distance downward, and a tool connected at a connecting end thereof to the shank by way of a planar member positioned on a portion of each lateral side of the shank and a portion of each lateral side of the tool and over each lateral side of a junction of the opposing end of the shank and the connecting end of the tool, a free end of the tool extending a distance downward to engage the ground; 
 the shank having at least two mounting features, and the tool having at least one mounting feature; 
 each planar member having at least two matching mounting features for the shank, and at least one matching mounting feature for the tool; 
 a first connecting member engaged with one of the at least two mounting features of the shank and with one of the at least two matching mounting features of each planar member, the first connecting member comprising a pivot member; 
 a second connecting member engaged with one of the at least two mounting features of the shank and with one of the at least two matching mounting features of each planar member, the second connecting member comprising a shear member; and 
 at least one additional connecting member engaged with the at least one mounting feature of the tool and with the at least one matching mounting feature of each planar member. 
 
     
     
       2. The tillage implement of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the at least one shank assembly is arranged on a common vertical centerline when the tool is connected to the shank by way of the planar members; 
 wherein the planar members on each lateral side of the shank are positioned symmetrically opposite of one another about the common vertical centerline; and wherein the first connecting member is positioned above the second connecting member. 
 
     
     
       3. The tillage implement of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the shank assembly is pivotally engaged with the at least one row unit; and 
 the shank assembly is biased toward engagement with the ground via at least one spring member carried by the row unit, and 
 wherein when the tool of the at least one shank assembly encounters an object in the ground in which the spring of the row unit is inadequate to permit the at least one shank assembly to deflect therefrom, the shear member shears and the pivot member permits the tool to pivot to preserve the tool. 
 
     
     
       4. The tillage implement of  claim 2 , wherein:
 planar members on each lateral side of the shank each further comprises a separate adapter plate. 
 
     
     
       5. The tillage implement of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the at least two mounting features of the shank and the at least two mounting features of each planar member further comprise holes; 
 the pivot member further comprises a bolt or pin; and 
 the at least one shear member further comprises a bolt or a pin. 
 
     
     
       6. The tillage implement of  claim 5 , wherein:
 said pivot member is inserted through an upper of said at least two mounting feature holes in said shank and through an upper of said at least two mounting feature holes in each said planar member; and 
 said at least one shear member is inserted through a lower of said at least two mounting feature holes in said shank and through a lower of said at least two mounting feature holes in each said planar member. 
 
     
     
       7. The tillage implement of  claim 5 , wherein:
 said at least one shear member is further provided with at least one shear ensuring feature. 
 
     
     
       8. The tillage implement of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the shank of the at least one shank assembly further comprises a flat-sided curved shank having no lateral offset. 
 
     
     
       9. A ground working member of a tillage implement, comprising:
 a shank assembly including a shank engaged at one end thereof with the tillage implement, an opposing end of the shank extending a distance downward, and a tool connected at a connecting end thereof to the shank by way of a planar member positioned on a portion of each lateral side of the shank and a portion of each lateral side of the tool and over each lateral side of a junction of the opposing end of the shank and the connecting end of the tool, a free end of the tool extending a distance downward to engage the ground; 
 the shank having at least two mounting features, and the tool having a least one mounting feature; 
 each planar member having at least two matching mounting features for the shank, and at least one matching mounting feature for the tool; 
 a first connecting member engaged with one of the at least two mounting features of the shank and with one of the at least two matching mounting features of each planar member, the first connecting member comprising a pivot member; 
 a second connecting member engaged with one of the at least two mounting features of the shank and with one of the at least two matching mounting features of each planar member, the second connecting member comprising a shear member; and 
 at least one additional connecting member engaged with the at least one mounting feature of the tool and with the at least one matching mounting feature of each planar member. 
 
     
     
       10. The ground working member of  claim 9 , wherein:
 the shank assembly is arranged on a common vertical centerline when the tool is connected to the shank by way of the planar members; 
 wherein the planar members on each lateral side of the shank are positioned symmetrically opposite of one another about the common vertical centerline; and wherein the first connecting member is positioned above the second connecting member. 
 
     
     
       11. The ground working member of  claim 10 , wherein:
 the planar members on each lateral side of the shank each further comprises a separate adapter plate. 
 
     
     
       12. The ground working member of  claim 9 , wherein:
 the shank of the shank assembly further comprises a flat-sided curved shank having no lateral offset.